02.09.07
John Carter, T. Don Hutto, And The Media Show
From this DMN artilce, Authorities offer tour of immigrant detention center, we get this statement from Rep. John Carter on T. Don Hutto:
Republican U.S. Rep. John Carter, whose district includes the Hutto facility, said in a statement that the center “offers the optimal solution to our nation’s growing illegal immigration problem” and that he has been assured the center is “running in an appropriate and humane manner.”
That’s not surprising coming from Carter. Optimal for someone else’s children.
The underlying story here is that today there was a media event, PR blitz, at the prison. They opened the doors for the meida, KXAN’s story is here, in an attempt to show that it’s a nice place to raise a family. KEYE was there too.
The story has now hit the New York Times, U.S. Gives Tour of Family Detention Center That Critics Liken to a Prison.
Here’s what a form inmate had to say, Palestinian Family: Detention Was Like Prison:
Nazmieh Juma and her 11-year-old son, Mohammad, were held at the T. Don Hutto Family Dentention Center near Austin for three months. While they were not abused, they claim that the facility was more like a prison and less like the family-friendly center depicted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“This is the first time that I’ve been in prison,” said Juma. “Why? What did I do wrong? I already suffered a lot back home. It’s too much for me to suffer now again here, looking for help and a better life for my family.
ICE argues that the center has computer labs, and conducts classes for children. Mohammad, a sixth-grader in Irving, says that the lessons were better suited for first-graders. “Like, 1+1 and things like that,” he said. “I’m taking division and fractions now, and they teach me 1+1. It was a waste of time in school.”
This story just keep getting bigger. Come to the vigil on Monday.
Eugenio said,
February 10, 2007 at 12:37 am
Detention IS like a prison (no surprise). Family detention is more humane than separation of parents from children.
Juma had 3 months to think about what she did “wrong.” Apparently not long enough for her to figure out the answer. Why was not her husband with her and her son? Is he being held on criminal charges in the prison?
This country needs us immigrants who respect the law. My family waited for many months to come to U.S. legally, so excuse me if I believe everyone else should do the same.
Yes I will definitely be at the vigil on Monday.
Eye on Williamson » SA Current On T. Don Hutto said,
February 19, 2007 at 11:57 am
[…] Williamson County officials looking good as usual. These boards usually have to meet to be effective. The other striking point that comes out in this article is that many, our Congressman included, tend to look at the people in this lock-up as illegal immigrants from South of the border. While nobody should be treated this way, not matter where they are from, these folks are mostly asylum seekers, political prisoners. These people are not flight risks because they have no place to flee. If they go back to where they came from they more than likely face prison, torture or death. That’s why many of our ancestors came here and this is no way to introduce these people to a free country. […]
Eye on Williamson » Protests In Taylor As UN Inspector Is Not Allowed In T. Don Hutto said,
May 8, 2007 at 10:26 am
[…] how you feel about your county government sanctioning the detention of children. Don’t forget Congressman John Carter, and state Rep.’s Mike Krusee and Dan Gattis, […]